Restaurant review: Marilyn’s of Morgantown
September 4, 2023 update - I have to open with the best appetizer I’ve had in Morgantown: Candied Bacon. I tasted this signature Marilyn’s appetizer in 2017 when they opened their first location in Uniontown, and I never forgot it. Let's put a pin in it, we will be back to that shortly.
Marilyn's is located in Northpointe Plaza, opening its doors in the summer of 2020. I'll give you a pass if you have not visited yet, as it opened amidst the pandemic. But now, it’s time to put it on your list for a night out. There’s a reason this restaurant survived - everything is delicious. And they have date night down pat.
You walk into the main restaurant which holds a beautiful bar but can see that each section of the restaurant has a little bit of its own personality. There is an outdoor area fenced off from the parking lot in its own intimate patio setting, and two larger areas after the main entrance. One has a large fireplace and the other is surrounded by full floor-to-ceiling windows. Ambiance of choice? Check. Let's eat!
Marilyn’s has an Italian-inspired menu with dishes that seem to be passed down from family generations. Pasta, bruschetta, mozzarella, of course! But their menu also has items pulled from all over that are as feel-good as spaghetti.
They were out of their candied bacon appetizer, which left me heartbroken, but my meal made up for it. The bacon, though, is definitely my first recommendation. As the menu states, this dish is thick sliced applewood smoked bacon with a secret mix of brown sugar and spices baked in. Slightly sweet, slightly hot, slightly salty, and extremely addictive. Instead, I ordered the Five Wiseguys Dip, a five-cheese gooey mixture filled with, Italian sausage, peppers, and sauce served with grilled crostini for scooping. For my main, I ordered their homemade pasta with vodka sauce, “made from scratch just like Clara would do every Sunday.”
At a previous visit to Marilyn's, I realized that I was audibly saying “Mmmmm” with every bite of my dish (also pictured from May 2021). The steak, the pasta, the bacon, our whole meal was delicious. This time, “Mmmmm” came out of my mouth again when that creamy, vodka sauce goodness landed on my tastebuds over some scratch-made linguine. I wasn’t even embarrassed when that noise audibly passed through my lips - it was that good.
Previous dish: Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce (Special) App: Candied Bacon
Their gorgeous bar has plenty of libations to pair with your meal. It is an upscale, adult bar menu that doesn't come off as pretentious but more opportunistic and trendy. I am not a cocktail connoisseur, but they have a selection of high-end bourbons such as Blanton’s, some very nice tequilas such as Herradura Seleccion Suprema, and martini options galore.
Overall, the experience at Marilyn’s is a special treat. The price might be a little higher than your everyday restaurant, but I would recommend this establishment to anyone looking for a date night - no matter with your partner or an intimate group of friends.
Rating: 10/10 I need to go back and get everything on the menu.
Map It: 3013 Northpointe Plz, Morgantown
*This article was originally written by The Morgantown Dish for the Dominion Post and has been repurposed digitally for the blog.